Qatar Airways has announced that it will upgauge its Doha-Guangzhou service with the introduction of its flagship Airbus A380 on the route. Guangzhou will be Qatar Airways fourth A380 destination, after London, Paris and Bangkok. Qatar Airways will become the first foreign carrier to fly the super-jumbo to Guangzhou Baiyun International Qatar. Daily flights will begin on 1st July 2016.

The 517-seat aircraft features a tri-class configuration of eight seats in First Class, 48 seats in Business Class and 461 in Economy Class.

The First Class cabin features “spa-inspired bathrooms” and eight exclusive suites on the upper deck in a 1-2-1 configuration. Each seat features a 90-inch pitch with a fully lie-flat bed, and 26-inch HD in-flight entertainment screen and direct aisle access.

The Business Class cabin features 48 seats on the upper deck in a 1-2-1 configuration, with an 80-inch full flat bed and 17-inch HD in-flight entertainment screen. The upper deck also features a spacious in-flight lounge for First and Business Class passengers.

The two Economy Class cabins are located on the upper deck in a 2-4-2 configuration and on the main deck in a 3-4-3 configuration.

The daily Doha (DOH) to Guangzhou (CAN) flight schedule is as follows:

• depart DOH QR874 at 02:30, arrive CAN at 15:30,
• depart CAN QR875 at 00:55, arrive DOH at 04:00.

In other Qatar Airways fleet news, the airline recently received its 50th Boeing 777, taking the total count of aircraft in operation to more than 180 single aisle and widebody aircraft. Qatar ordered its first Boeing 777 in 2006.